We went away this weekend and came back to a 13 week old Pekin Bantum with breathing problems and weight loss. That was Sunday evening and she died on Monday. Today our two year old Peking Cockeral is not happy. He's looking a little thin, although he weighs 1kg. He has spent most of today in the house.

We've given him some oregano and garlic this evening, but wondered what else we could do to help him.

We don't know what it is, but we're worried we will loose him and the rest of our flock.

We do have redmite and I clean out the coop on Monday to kill as many as possible. The chicken that died is in a different coop from the cockeral and in a different area. She had only been there for one week.

If there are no chickens kept in the first coop now, they'll be hiding in the cracks and crevices waiting to pounce. If you can afford it, get hold of some Ficam W. Otherwise, liberally shake ant powder (containing Permethrin) everywhere - even on the floor under the coops.

I've changed the coop floor shavings for sand and dusted lice powder around the edges. The chickens are all tucked up asleep on the floor with no mites able to get near them. Those that do also have mite powder on the chickens to contend with. Meal worms, rice and spinich during the day has also helped them get some energy. Fingers crossed it works ok.